Marātha.——Marāthas are found in every district of the Madras Presidency, but are, according to the latest census returns, most numerous in the following district: —
- South Canara .. .. .. .. 31,351
- Salem .. .. .. .. 7,314
- Tanjore .. .. .. .. .. 7,156
- Bellary .. .. .. .. .. 6,311
It is recorded, in the Madras Census Report, 1891, that "the term Marāthi denotes the various Marāthi non- Brāhman castes, who came to the south either as soldiers or camp followers in the armies of the Marāthi invaders; but in South Canara, in which district the caste is most numerous, it appears to be the same as Ārē, a class of Marāthi cultivators. Of the total number of 65,961, as many as 40,871 have returned Marāthi as both caste and sub-division. The number of sub-divisions returned by the rest is no less than 305, of which the majority are the names of other castes. Some of these castes are purely Dravidian, and the names have evidently been used in their occupational sense. For example, we have Bōgam, Gāndla, Mangala, etc." Mr. H. A. Stuart writes further, in the South Canara Manual, that " Marāthi, as a caste name, is somewhat open to confusion, and it is probable that many people of various castes, who speak Marāthi, are shown as being of that caste. The true Marāthi caste is said to have come from Goa, and that place is the head-quarters. The caste is divided into twelve wargs or balis, which are exogamous sub-divisions. Caste disputes are settled by headmen called Hontagaru, and allegiance is paid to the head of the Sringēri math. The favourite deity is the goddess Mahādēvi. Brāhmans, usually Karādis, officiate at their ceremonies. Marriage is both infant
